Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect if I attend Montclair Community Church?
Our services are relaxed and contemporary in style. Feel free to dress casually. The music is uplifting and inspiring. The teaching is always practical, insightful, relevant and biblical. And you can sense an atmosphere of warmth and acceptance.
Our 9:00 a.m. service is generally smaller, more intimate, and shorter in length (1 hour). Our 10:30 a.m. service has a larger attendance and is longer in length (75-90 minutes). The same message is given at both services. Following the 10:30 a.m. service, everyone is invited to join us downstairs in the Fellowship Hall for bagels and coffee.
What denomination is Montclair Community Church?
Our desire at Montclair Community Church is for people from all religious backgrounds to feel welcome. For this reason, we are an independent, non-denominational church. We are not affiliated with, or governed by, any particular denominational organization. We appreciate the rich religious heritage that each denomination contributes, and we draw people from diverse religious backgrounds.
Montclair Community Church is thoroughly Christian in our beliefs and evangelical in our mission and practice. We are also a member of the Willow Creek Association, an international, evangelical organization of over 11,000 churches.
What is an evangelical church?
We believe that the answer to man’s basic needs is a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. As an evangelical church, Montclair Community Church seeks to share the message of God’s grace and introduce people to a personal, life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. We’re committed to sharing the message of Jesus Christ in culturally relevant and compassionate ways.
What is the history of Montclair Community Church?
Montclair Community Church began with a handful of people from what was formerly known as The Living Church. In 1990, Mark McGrath, pastor of Community Gospel Church, helped the remaining members regroup as they sought God’s direction for the future.
In 1991, God added several new families to help in establishing the fledgling church. Among these were Edward Banghart and his family. Edward, who had served in full-time pastoral ministry for over 15 years, and his wife Janet, felt God’s leading to become involved in the church.
This handful of people began to imagine a church designed for people who had given up on church, a church where people could be introduced to a genuine life-changing experience with Jesus Christ. Edward Banghart became the new pastor, and Montclair Community Church was launched in September 1991. Having outgrown our previous facilities, we moved into our new church building in April 2005.
What began as only a dream in the hearts of a handful of people is today a growing church where people are rediscovering a fresh expression of God’s love and power in their lives.
What is a seeker?
A seeker is someone on a spiritual journey seeking for what is true. Seekers may be exploring the claims of Christianity or checking out the church community, but they have not yet committed themselves to following Christ. Seekers are aware of a spiritual dimension to their lives, but are not sure who God is or how to relate to Him.
If you are a seeker, you’re welcome at Montclair Community Church. We’re all on a spiritual journey. Our hope and prayer is that you will feel comfortable here and that God will more fully reveal Himself to you.
Whatever your background, whatever your ethnicity or age, whatever your mistakes, doubts, failures or pain, you’re welcome. All of us need the forgiveness and healing touch of a loving God.
What about my kids? Is there something for them?
During both Sunday services, we offer quality Nursery Care for infants and toddlers through two years of age in our bright and colorful nursery, which is located in the Fellowship Hall. Parents can bring their children to the nursery before the service, or at any time during the service.
During the pastor’s message, we offer a ministry called KidsBreak! for children age three through grade six. We offer classes where kids can learn about God at their own level. Our gifted and creative teaching staff makes Kidsbreak! an exciting and memorable experience for children.
Click here for more information about our children’s ministries.
We also offer an exciting youth ministry for junior high youth (grade 5-8) and senior high youth (grade 9-12). Youth meet on Wednesday evenings for Bible study and on Friday evenings for various events and activities.
Click here for more information about our youth ministry.
- What can I expect if I attend Montclair Community Church?
- What denomination is Montclair Community Church?
- What is an evangelical church?
- What is the history of Montclair Community Church?
- What is a seeker?
- What about my kids? Is there something for them?
What can I expect if I attend Montclair Community Church?
Our services are relaxed and contemporary in style. Feel free to dress casually. The music is uplifting and inspiring. The teaching is always practical, insightful, relevant and biblical. And you can sense an atmosphere of warmth and acceptance.
Our 9:00 a.m. service is generally smaller, more intimate, and shorter in length (1 hour). Our 10:30 a.m. service has a larger attendance and is longer in length (75-90 minutes). The same message is given at both services. Following the 10:30 a.m. service, everyone is invited to join us downstairs in the Fellowship Hall for bagels and coffee.
What denomination is Montclair Community Church?
Our desire at Montclair Community Church is for people from all religious backgrounds to feel welcome. For this reason, we are an independent, non-denominational church. We are not affiliated with, or governed by, any particular denominational organization. We appreciate the rich religious heritage that each denomination contributes, and we draw people from diverse religious backgrounds.
Montclair Community Church is thoroughly Christian in our beliefs and evangelical in our mission and practice. We are also a member of the Willow Creek Association, an international, evangelical organization of over 11,000 churches.
What is an evangelical church?
We believe that the answer to man’s basic needs is a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. As an evangelical church, Montclair Community Church seeks to share the message of God’s grace and introduce people to a personal, life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. We’re committed to sharing the message of Jesus Christ in culturally relevant and compassionate ways.
What is the history of Montclair Community Church?
Montclair Community Church began with a handful of people from what was formerly known as The Living Church. In 1990, Mark McGrath, pastor of Community Gospel Church, helped the remaining members regroup as they sought God’s direction for the future.
In 1991, God added several new families to help in establishing the fledgling church. Among these were Edward Banghart and his family. Edward, who had served in full-time pastoral ministry for over 15 years, and his wife Janet, felt God’s leading to become involved in the church.
This handful of people began to imagine a church designed for people who had given up on church, a church where people could be introduced to a genuine life-changing experience with Jesus Christ. Edward Banghart became the new pastor, and Montclair Community Church was launched in September 1991. Having outgrown our previous facilities, we moved into our new church building in April 2005.
What began as only a dream in the hearts of a handful of people is today a growing church where people are rediscovering a fresh expression of God’s love and power in their lives.
What is a seeker?
A seeker is someone on a spiritual journey seeking for what is true. Seekers may be exploring the claims of Christianity or checking out the church community, but they have not yet committed themselves to following Christ. Seekers are aware of a spiritual dimension to their lives, but are not sure who God is or how to relate to Him.
If you are a seeker, you’re welcome at Montclair Community Church. We’re all on a spiritual journey. Our hope and prayer is that you will feel comfortable here and that God will more fully reveal Himself to you.
Whatever your background, whatever your ethnicity or age, whatever your mistakes, doubts, failures or pain, you’re welcome. All of us need the forgiveness and healing touch of a loving God.
What about my kids? Is there something for them?
During both Sunday services, we offer quality Nursery Care for infants and toddlers through two years of age in our bright and colorful nursery, which is located in the Fellowship Hall. Parents can bring their children to the nursery before the service, or at any time during the service.
During the pastor’s message, we offer a ministry called KidsBreak! for children age three through grade six. We offer classes where kids can learn about God at their own level. Our gifted and creative teaching staff makes Kidsbreak! an exciting and memorable experience for children.
Click here for more information about our children’s ministries.
We also offer an exciting youth ministry for junior high youth (grade 5-8) and senior high youth (grade 9-12). Youth meet on Wednesday evenings for Bible study and on Friday evenings for various events and activities.
Click here for more information about our youth ministry.
